So as many of you know I have done a few leather treatment threads on Vache Natural. I have been restoring antique saddles and bags and shoes for over 30 years (many of the items being over 100 years old) I thought maybe for those of you whom do have a vintage leather would like to know about some of the things I have found out over the years.... I give a full disclaimer here...Hermes does not like you to do much to leather.... That said let's move on.
A bit about dry rot, Dry rot is a description of leather which has lost so much moisture over time that it is very very dry and can actually tear like card board! The fibers within the hide are very brittle and great care must be taken not to handle the bag roughly or even place wt inside it or hold from the handle...If dry rot is severe no amount of conditioning can bring it back and restitching if needed is near impossible. So be warry of bags that have surface cracks beyond superficial (greater than .5 mm deep) and feel stiff and sound esp. creaky...
In anycase I will be here to add information about and to assist anyone who has a question and I will add in photos of bags being cared for ,for reference and show photo's of scary vintage H bags (please add them when you find them). I hope the Mods will accept my contribution.
Kind regards,doc
A bit about dry rot, Dry rot is a description of leather which has lost so much moisture over time that it is very very dry and can actually tear like card board! The fibers within the hide are very brittle and great care must be taken not to handle the bag roughly or even place wt inside it or hold from the handle...If dry rot is severe no amount of conditioning can bring it back and restitching if needed is near impossible. So be warry of bags that have surface cracks beyond superficial (greater than .5 mm deep) and feel stiff and sound esp. creaky...
In anycase I will be here to add information about and to assist anyone who has a question and I will add in photos of bags being cared for ,for reference and show photo's of scary vintage H bags (please add them when you find them). I hope the Mods will accept my contribution.
Kind regards,doc
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